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[vsnet-campaign-news 135] Exceptionally bright maximum of chi Cyg
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Exceptionally bright maximum of chi Cyg
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Recent reports to VSNET suggest that the famous long-period variable
star chi Cygni (chi Cyg) is getting exceptionally bright in recent years.
The maximum of chi Cyg is predicted to occur around March 10, according to
the Variable Star Observers League in Japan (VSOLJ). The object is currently
reported to be 3.9-4.4 mag, and seems to be still rising. Although the
cataloged range of variablity is 3.3-14.2, maxima brighter than 4.0 were
observed on only rare occasions in the past century. The mean brighteness
of maxima is reported to be 5.2. If the brightness of the current maximum
becomes brighter than 3.3, the record has a chance to be broken first time
in the past 155 years! Please watch Cygnus in the morning sky, and record
the variation of chi Cyg!
Further campaign on chi Cyg will be held on vsnet-campaign-mira list.
One can join the list by sending an e-mail with a line:
SUBSCRIBE vsnet-campaign-mira
to vsnet-adm@kusastro.kyoto-u.ac.jp
Past light curves can be seen at:
http://vsnet.kusastro.kyoto-u.ac.jp/vsnet/gcvs/CYGchi.html
Regards,
Taichi Kato
On behalf of the VSNET Collaboration team
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VSNET (Variable Star Network) is an international variable star observing
network, covering various areas of novae, supernovae, cataclysmic variables
(CVs), X-ray transients, and other classical eruptive, pulsating, and
eclipsing variables. VSNET is one of invited contributing organizations
to the SkyPub AstroAlert system.
VSNET Home Page: http://vsnet.kusastro.kyoto-u.ac.jp/vsnet/
CCD observations of such targets are a relatively easy task for a 20-40cm
telescope; simply take as many CCD frames (with exposure times 10-30 sec)
as possible, spanning several hours per night. The only requirements are
the weather and your patience! If you need more help on the observing
technique, please feel free to ask on the vsnet-campaign list.
We would sincerely appreciate volunteers who would join the VSNET
Collaboration team to study the wonders of these exotic variable stars.
To join the VSNET campaign collaborative list, send an e-mail to
vsnet-adm@kusastro.kyoto-u.ac.jp (VSNET administrator)
with a line "SUBSCRIBE vsnet-campaign." or your comment to join the
collaboration team.
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vsnet-adm@kusastro.kyoto-u.ac.jp
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